Jake attended Lake Park High School where he was a stand out member of the Boys Gymnastics Team. 

Since graduating college, Jake has coached gymnastics at Springfield College and was the Assistant Girls Gymnastics Coach at Glenbard West High School.

Jake brings with him a true knowledge of gymnastics, as well as a love of the sport.

Philippe began gymnastics at the age of six, and continued until he was a National Level competitor in his hometown of Lanester, France. During his competitive career, he traveled throughout Europe and was a member of his nation’s 2nd place team in the 1988 French National Championships.

Before moving to the United States, he worked 15 years as a military fireman in Paris, and rose to the rank of sergeant. During that time, he won an all-around silver medal in a military gymnastics competition…outscoring 4,000 other competitors!

Philippe began coaching gymnastics at the age of 16, and also gained experience as a gymnastics judge while in France.

Philippe has lived in Bloomingdale, Illinois since March of 2002, with his wife and twelve-year-old daughter. Philippe’s daughter enjoys swimming. His cat, Willy, understands French and English!

Catherine has been involved gymnastics since she herself was a tot. She competed through the collegiate level, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Physical Education from Northeastern Illinois University on a full scholarship. Catherine taught high school Physical Education for 8 years where she was the assistant gymnastics coach for both the boys and girls varsity teams.

Catherine is currently the Level 4/5/6 coach, and assists at all gymnastics levels. She also is the “Class of the Month” director.

She lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband and two children, both who are involved in gymnastics here at Palmer’s.

Sue grew up in Hillside, IL, one of fourteen children. She attended St. Domitilla grammar school and Proviso West High School. Sue has been married to her husband, Jake, for 20 years. They have three children, Jacky, 19, Nikki, 14, and Joey, 9. Together they enjoy sports and generally any outside activity.

Sue’s coaching experience includes heading up the gymnastics program in Elk Grove Village for the past four years. There she taught Parent Tot through Level 3 gymnastics. She also taught cheernasitcs, a combination of cheer and gymnastics. Sue has worked with children her whole life and looks forward to working with the children here at Palmer’s Gymnastics. She is proud and excited to be a part of the Palmer’s Team!

Dawn grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelors of Science in Art Education K-12. While working in School District 81, in Schiller Park, Illinois, she earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in Forest Park, Illinois.

Dawn has worked with children from kindergarten through eighth grade for the past 21 years in the area of visual art. Dawn has also spent the last 4 years as a camp counselor at Lake Owen Gymnastics Camp where she was promoted to “Recreation Director” this past summer. She has also held a leadership position within the local Girl Scout Council and led a Girl Scout troop for 8 years.

Dawn lives in Carol Stream with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Her daughter, Melanie has been attending Palmer’s for several years. Dawn enjoys working with the Birthday Parties here at Palmer’s, helping the Birthday child and their guests have a great time!

Carlos began doing gymnastics as a freshman at Glenbard East High School where he competed for four years. He was primarily a floor, vault, and high bar specialist.

Carlos began his coaching career at the age of 18 coaching the Glenbard East boy’s gymnastics team where he stayed for six years. In 2005, our team at Glenbard West made it to State as a team for the first time in school history.

Carlos has had the opportunity to coach gymnasts of all ages and skill levels from beginner to Level 10. He has coached several teams to conference and regional championships and has had over twenty state qualifiers, finalists, and medalists.

Carlos has a bachelor’s degree in the teaching of Spanish from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently a high school Spanish teacher at Glenbard West High School. He is also the Head Girls Gymnastics coach at Glenbard West.

Carlos currently lives in Wheaton with his two Chihuahuas, Poncho and Fernando.

Kristin began her career at Palmers as a student. Kristin progressed quickly and soon joined our competitive team program where she competed through Level 7. During the school year Kristin competes on her Varsity gymnastics team at Glenbard North High School.

As well as gymnastics, Kristin also enjoys cheerleading. She enjoys working with our younger team members.

Justin started gymnastics at the age of 5 and has been a part of Palmer’s Gymnastics since the age of 7 and had been coached by Neil Palmer that entire time.  He has worked his way through USA Gymnastics competing in all state and regional competitions from Class 5 to Class 1.  In 2001 he qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championships but a week prior to the competition, he was involved in a car accident which left him paralyzed.  Determined to stick with the sport he grew up with, Justin changed roles from gymnast to coach.

After a couple of months of tough rehabilitation, Justin continued with school and graduated with his class in 2002.  He has attended classes at Northern Illinois University and the College of DuPage with ambitions to get his degree in Sports Psychology.  He loves the sport of gymnastics and what can be learned and used from it, throughout a gymnast’s life.

Justin also enjoys music and is a BIG Chicago Cubs Fan.  He lives in Roselle with his family and dog, Tsuki.

Courtney started gymnastics at the age of 7 here at Palmer’s. She competed through Level 8 before competing for her High School Gymnastics Team.

Courtney began coaching at the age of 16 and has continued for 5 years. She now attends Elmhurst College and will graduate in February with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a minor in English.

Courtney lives in Elmhurst with her two Chihuahua’s, Poncho and Fernando. Poncho is very energetic and can perform a handstand and a forward roll, while Fernando’s only talent is sleeping! Courtney loves the sport of gymnastics and enjoys coaching here at Palmer’s as well as at Glenbard West High School. In her spare time, Courtney loves to read and watch Grey’s Anatomy.

Laura worked for United Airlines for 8 years. While there she worked in many capacities including her favorite, as a Customer Service (Gate Agent) at O’Hare Airport. Laura also spent time in the reservations sales office. Laura began working for Palmer’s in the fall of 2006 and also works part-time for a clock manufacturing company in production, sales and marketing. When time permits, Laura is usually baking her “almost famous” Italian Biscotti Cookies from her side business out of her home.

In her spare time, (and we do mean spare), Laura enjoys scrap booking, selling and buying on Ebay, and shopping until she drops! She has been involved in gymnastics with her daughter for the past seven years.

Laura and her husband Sal have two daughters, Gabriella and Ariana. They live in Schaumburg and have a guinea pig named licorice. Ariana is a member Palmer’s Gymnastics Team and Gabriella plays travel softball for the Schaumburg Sluggers.

Maria has been a parent at Palmer’s since March of 2001. She currently lives in Hanover Park with her husband and three children, but she grew up here in Bloomingdale. While Maria’s son enjoys football and baseball, her daughter enjoys spending as much time as possible here at Palmer’s! Maria’s youngest daughter is still too young to decide!

When Maria was young she enjoyed participating in gymnastics classes. After her school years, Maria worked in the child care industry for 11 years. Once her own children were born, she decided that staying at home was a better option for her family.

Once her children started school, Maria worked in the school, helping her children’s teachers, working in the lunchroom, as well as working in the office.

Maria now looks forward to working in our office and getting to know all of the families here at Palmer’s!

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